PORTSMOUTH - People exposed to water contaminated by perfluorochemicals, or PFCs, at Pease Tradeport did have higher levels of the chemicals in their blood compared to the population at large, according to the results of more than 1,500 blood tests.

"The absolute difference in the geometric mean PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS levels in the Pease population compared with the general U.S. population is relatively small, and these small changes have unclear health implications. The levels of PFOA and PFOS were also more consistent with national average levels found a decade ago, and levels of these three PFCs are well below what has been found in other environmentally contaminated communities and occupationally exposed workers," the report from the state Department of Health and Human Services reads in part.

During two separate two-month periods in 2015, the department tested the PFC blood levels of 1,578 individuals who worked on, lived on or attended childcare on the Pease Tradeport, a former Air Force base.

DHHS is hosting a public meeting to present the results of the testing program at 6 p.m. Thursday.

In mid-July, DHHS expects to resume PFC blood testing for people who consumed contaminated water on the Pease Tradeport and did not participate in the previous blood testing phases, as well as those who have been exposed in other communities.